Creative Overview:

Creative Associates International is a dynamic, fast-growing global development firm that specializes in education, economic growth, democratic institutions and stabilization. Based in Washington, D.C., Creative has a field presence in more than 25 countries with a strong client portfolio that includes the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department, among others. Since its founding in 1977, Creative has earned a solid reputation among its clients and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike.

Program Overview:

The five-year READ II project, funded by USAID, will boost the quality of literacy instruction and student support, reaching out to children at risk of failure and dropout caused by cognitive, emotional and physical effects of hunger, violence, and displacement. READ II seeks to better equip teachers with effective early grade reading instruction techniques and materials in seven mother-tongue languages and English, while simultaneously building a culture of reading in the school, home and community.

Position Purpose:

The Finance Officer will be responsible for performing financial review and analysis of transactions applying accounting principles, policies and procedures. S/he will ensure existence of sound documentation/filing system and up-to-date records and timely reporting. The Finance Officer will also be responsible for review grantees’ payment requests, maintaining recordings and reporting of foreign tax and a monthly VAT Refund claim reports.

Reporting & Supervision:

The Finance Officer reports to Director of Finance.

Key Responsibilities:

• Ensure that financial transactions meet all donor contractual requirements, complies with Creative’s policies and regulations and pertinent government regulations.
• Review of advance requests, liquidations and travel expenses reimbursement requests to ensure compliance in all respects – Creative’s, donor’s and government’s rules and regulations –  including cost principles; adequacy, appropriateness, and completeness of documentation per check list; proper initiation and processing; review and approval of transactions per Project Approval Authority Matrix; analysis of transactions per tax,  labor and other pertinent laws of the country; proper classification and codifications of expenses.
• Maintain advance tracking and follow-up for timely liquidation and monthly reconciliation thereto.
• Perform monthly reconciliation of advances, prepayments, security deposits, and payables.
• Participate in ongoing analysis, forecasting and review of project expenses, budget planning and realignment as required.
• Review and provide feedback on grantees monthly financial reports and reimbursement requests ensuring that grantees’ spending falls within with their respective approved budget, adherence to their respective internal policies and procedures and by extension applicable regulations, policies and procedures emanating from Creative, donor and the Government of Ethiopia.
• Maintain track record of payments to grantees under crisis modifier, LIPs, and SIPs
• Work closely with the Crisis Modifier technical team members to provide financial advice and support them with financial matters as necessary.
• Maintain records of foreign tax reporting; prepare monthly VAT refund claim reports for Creative; coordinate with implementing partners to obtain their respective VAT Refund claim reports on a timely manner and submission to USAID, and follow-up of obtaining of refunds from ERCA.
• Preparation, review and approval of JEs for adjustments, payroll, advance liquidations, utilization on prepayments, cash transfers from HQ and transfer from one bank account into another.
• Ensuring adequacy, appropriateness, completeness and orderliness of scanned and uploaded documents especially of data entered into GL Module.
• Set weekly, monthly and quarterly Performance Objectives and prepare Performance Plans and implement same once approved by Director of Finance.
• Assist in the training, workshops, and meetings including preparation of payment sheets, supervision of payments and reconciliations thereto.
• Perform data entry into Dynamics and posting thereto as guided by Director of Finance.
• Assist with the overall filing system and documentation of financial records.
• Serve as TEC on different goods and services procurement as assigned
• Perform other related duties as required.

Job Requirements

• At least BA/BS degree in accounting, finance or related fields
• Must have at least five years of related work experience
• Knowledge of USAID Rules and Regulations, previous experience working on USAID-funded projects preferred
• Advanced knowledge of Spoken and Written English highly desired, Medium level required
• Working skills and knowledge on financial management software
• Excellent skills in Excel and similar applications

How to Apply

Creative invites eligible candidates to submit their applications via [email protected] on or before July 31, 2019. Please make sure to indicate the JOB TITLE in the subject line of your email. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. Applications should consist of a one-page cover letter and updated curriculum vitae a maximum of three pages with 3 professional references, the persons’ telephone number & email address.

Only finalists will be contacted. No phone calls, please.

Creative Associates International Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Disability/Veteran.